Pubdate: Mon, 06 Oct 2014
Source: Yorkshire Post (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Johnston Press New Media
Contact: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/contactus.aspx
Website: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2239
Page: 4

MINISTER URGES 'WAR ON DRUGS' RETHINK

THE WAR on drugs is based on "the prejudices of yesterday" and cannot 
be won, Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker warned.

The Lib Dem said he was interested in minimising the harm from drugs 
rather than continuing to prosecute addicts.

The MP told delegates at the party's conference in Glasgow: 
"Medicinal cannabis is a very sensible objective to take forward.

"Why should people who are ill not have access to medicine which 
helps them when other medicine doesn't? And more to the point they 
are made criminals when they access the cannabis themselves.

"I support any efforts to make this more logical and more compassionate.

"Let's get some facts based on compassionate rational evidence for 
the drugs policy rather the prejudices of yesterday which don't work."

The Lewes MP was speaking at a debate on the crime and criminal 
justice policy paper, which was introduced by Geoff Payne, chair of 
the policy working group.

Opening the discussion, he told activists - who later voted to pass 
the motion - that the party should make so-called "revenge porn" a 
criminal offence.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom